Rivals meet over beers

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (left) and his former political rival U.S. Senator-elect from Illinois Mark Kirk meet for a beer and a bit of conversation at the Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Michigan Avenue in Chicago.

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (left) and his former political rival U.S. Senator-elect from Illinois Mark Kirk meet for a beer and a bit of conversation at the Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Michigan Avenue in Chicago. (Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune)

Democrat Alexi Giannoulias (left) and his former political rival U.S. Senator-elect from Illinois Mark Kirk meet for a beer and a bit of conversation at the Billy Goat Tavern on Lower Michigan Avenue in Chicago.Terrence Antonio James, Chicago Tribune